I sent an email to the Diamond desk about my views on the changes.. Today I got this response.. Mostly crap. I really like the part telling me how they are keeping rental car partners and the AMEX card.. what a shock they are going to keep selling points to them..

"Dear little_dc,

Thank you for your email regarding the recently communicated program changes.

First, let me say that we can completely understand your level of frustration given the current economical environment that everyone is facing and apologize for the timing of this change. Moreover, let me assure you it was not our intent to raise point costs at this time in response to economic pressures as relative to the Hilton HHonors program.

Also, I can confirm that the current Category 6 hotels will become Category 7 hotel properties, and that the point cost required to stay at these hotels will increase from 40,000 points to 50,000 points per night. We realize that anytime there are changes that result in an increase of points required for rewards, it can result in our program being compared to our competitors. As an informed consumer, we can certainly appreciate your perspective. I can assure you that while all loyalty programs may be structured differently, the Hilton HHonors program is committed to provide a program that best fits a variety of needs for our most loyal customers, custom-tailored to the individual needs of those customers.

Specifically, Hilton HHonors has been committed to offering various opportunities to earn even more points through the Points/Points earning style, as well as earning opportunities through our co-branded credit cards, car rental, and shopping/dining partners. Moreover, Hilton HHonors is still the only program in the industry that allows members to earn points and airline miles as an earnings style option. As such and in order to continue to remain competitive, the decision was made to increase the cost of hotel rewards without taking away the earnings opportunities currently in place.

I can understand that the introduction of The Waldorf Collection could be seen as a point redemption increase; however, this was considered an introduction of a new brand rather than a reward structure update. Additionally, the Waldorf Collection encompassed a very small percentage of our entire hotel population (approximately 20 hotels).

Mr. little_dc, I can assure you that Hilton HHonors is committed to continuing to grow our program and benefits to all of our most loyal customers and in order to do so, we have to manage how the program is structured accordingly. We sincerely hope that you can understand our position regarding this change. I will ensure that your comments and concerns are included in the data sent to key program stakeholders and would like to sincerely thank you for all of the information you have provided us.

For immediate assistance, please click on the link below for the contact number of the HHonors Service Center nearest you:

http://hhonors1.hilton.com/en_US/hh/...t,HeadCustomer

Sincerely,

WXXXXXX L.
Supervisor
Customer Care Email Department
Hilton Reservations and Customer Care